'Being a conductor is a highly collaborative profession: you are there not just to beat time but to find a sound that unites everyone, bringing the best out of everyone in front of you,’ says Tengku Irfan, who is set to lead the MPO’s 'Cirque De La Symphonie' concert series on Jan 17. Photo: DFP
Acclaimed conductor, composer and pianist Tengku Irfan Tengku Ahmad Shahrizal is more than ready to swap the bite of a New York winter for a brief return to Malaysia, where he will take to the big stage to showcase the breadth and versatility of his conducting skills.
Now based in the United States, Tengku Irfan will return to Kuala Lumpur to join the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) for Cirque De La Symphonie at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP) on Jan 17.
A Family Fun Day hour-long performance is scheduled at 11am and a regular two-hour MPO set at 8pm.
These aren’t your usual classical concerts. While the orchestra enchants you with classical masterpieces, cirque performers such as aerialists, acrobats, jugglers and contortionists will take to the stage, dazzling you with their daring choreography.
"Conducting a Cirque de la Symphonie concert means leading a wide variety of pieces. What’s especially fun is that many of the melodies will feel familiar to the audience. They may not know the titles, but the moment they hear them, they might think, 'Wait, I’ve heard this before!' Much of this music pops up in cartoons, movie soundtracks, advertisements, and everyday life, making it delightfully recognisable," said Tengku Irfan, 27, in a recent inteview.
The programme includes Rimsky-Korsakov’s Danse Des Bouffons, Gluck’s Danse Of The Furies, Strauss’ Ohne Sorgen Polka and Thunder And Lightning, Bizet’s Carmen Suites, Smetana’s Dance Of The Comedians, Khachaturian’s Valse and de Falla’s Spanish Dance.
A familiar stage
Tengku Irfan is no stranger to the DFP stage, a venue that holds fond memories for him. At just 11, he appeared there as a soloist with the MPO in a gala concert series celebrating Beethoven in early October 2009 – rehearsing in his school uniform, no less, a charming reminder of how his musical journey on major stages began.
"Flying back to Malaysia from the US is a costly affair, so it’s not something I get to do often. Still, there’s a certain regularity to my returns - usually once or twice a year - most often tied to a performance back home. And of course, there’s the food: nothing quite compares. Malaysia’s cuisine, to me, is simply the best in the world," he said.
More than a decade ago, the pianist was accepted into the prestigious Juilliard Pre-College, prompting a move to New York - a city he has since called home.
Whenever the opportunity arises, a return to the DFP still excites him - after all, he knows the place like the back of his hand.
At the helm, Tengku Irfan guided the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO) through a programme of classical works last October at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, including a newly commissioned piece by Lee Si Yuan titled 'Adventurous Spirit'. Photo: MPO
“The concerts that I usually conduct are mainly with a group of players where the focus is on the people performing," said Tengku Irfan.
“So, what is great about the Cirque De La Symphonie concerts is that you not only experience the orchestra, but get to watch the performers on top of that. In a way, you get double the concert experience,” he added.
He notes that the programme stands apart from what you’d typically expect at a classical concert.
“A typical classical concert programme usually starts with an overture (opening piece), a concerto and a full symphony after intermission. In the Cirque De La Symphonie concerts, however, there are many short pieces one after another, making it more ‘friendly’ and accessible to audiences who are new to classical music, no matter the age.
“It’s the perfect opportunity for novices, especially of the younger generation, to get to know classical music better through a different concert experience or perspective,” he said.
It is not without its challenges, however, as Tengku Irfan acknowledges there are considerations he remains mindful of.
“As a conductor, I have to make sure that the music I conduct gives time to the circus acts so that the actors don’t feel the need to rush their segments or performances.
“For example, when an aerialist flies across the stage, the music has to be at a certain tempo where there is time for them to fly safely from a point to another without feeling like they might fall down."
The 'Cirque De La Symphonie' concert series will see Tengku Irfan leading the MPO on stage on Jan 17. Photo: DFP
“When it comes to musical challenges, there are many pieces that are about three to four minutes long, one after another.
“Even though this is good for the audience, the challenge that it brings to me and the orchestral musicians is that we have to quickly change character and mood for each piece since different works have a different atmosphere.”
Alongside sharing classical music on his social media, Tengku Irfan is equally devoted to family life and fatherhood. Married to Singaporean composer Koh Cheng Jin, he and his wife welcomed their son, Tengku Sulaiman, in August 2024.
Given that he now has a toddler, he may be especially inspired to explore Family Fun Day-style classical events, creating performances that are both engaging and accessible for young families.
Taking the lead
Originally recognised as a piano prodigy, Tengku Irfan has, in recent years, established a growing reputation as a conductor and composer on the international stage.
He made his Carnegie Hall debut conducting the Juilliard Orchestra in April 2024 and most recently, he conducted the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO) last October in KL.
"Being a conductor is a highly collaborative profession: you are there not just to beat time but to find a sound that unites everyone, bringing the best out of everyone in front of you."
Whether he’s holding the baton or playing the piano, he commands the stage with undeniable presence.
At the 2023 Singapore International Piano Festival, Tengku Irfan, the youngest musician in the line-up, impressed audiences as he stood shoulder to shoulder with some of the festival’s more established names. Though still relatively young, he possesses a wealth of experience that belies his age.
A Hari Raya family portrait shared by Tengku Irfan on his social media last year. Photo: Tengku Irfan/Instagram
In November last year, he was called in on short notice to act as a cover conductor for the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and New Jersey Symphony.
“The reason why I love conducting is because I get to work with music in different styles,” said Tengku Irfan.
"Also, it helps to have compositional background as a conductor as one has to understand why a piece of music is constructed in a certain way and makes it understandable to the musicians and audiences around you by using gestures."
He also founded his own New York-based ensemble, Ensemble Fantasque, with a clear artistic vision: to champion music of the 20th and 21st centuries while reviving underperformed works from earlier periods and exploring the avant garde.
Under Tengku Irfan’s direction, the ensemble has brought to life challenging and inventive compositions by Arnold Schoenberg, Elliott Carter, Toru Takemitsu, Ruth Crawford Seeger and Charles Ives, demonstrating both technical mastery and deep interpretive insight.
With the growing interest in contemporary and experimental music among local fans, it would not be surprising to see Ensemble Fantasque grace a stage in Malaysia, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience repertoire that pushes the boundaries of classical music.
“While I started out as a pianist, over time I realised that what brings me joy is not merely playing the piano, but the collaborations that come with it, such as playing chamber music, the musical dialogues between orchestra members when playing piano concertos and so on.
“In a sense, I get to live as a composer and a performer when I conduct, which feels very wholesome and gratifying,” he concluded.
Tengku Irfan Tengku Ahmad Shahrizal conducts the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra in Cirque De La Symphonie at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 17.
